2011 heavy hauler gathering!

Hi Mike ...

Thus far, my wife and I are planning to attend the HEAVEY HAULER REUNION 2011.

I checked into HMH-463 March 1975 as a Co-pilot on the '53' and deployed with the squadron on the HANCOCK for both 'Frequent Wind' and "Eagle Pull" and was assigned to S-3. During my time with HMH-463, I became OIC S-2 and Training Officer for S-3. I remained a member of HMH-463 until January 1979 (did quite few of out-squadron activities during that time) at which time I transferred to Pensacola, Florida for Fixed-Wing Flight Instruction Duty until June 1982.

Look forward to meeting with you and other members of HMH-463.

SEMPER FI,

Stephen Maxwell
Capt. USMC
now Retired Airline Captain!

Heavy Haulers 2011

Steve,

Thanks for the early notice.

Please keep an eye on the:

http://www.hmh-463-vietnam.com/index.shtml

site, using the "Reunion Info" link, for details when they become available.

Heavy Haulers

Its Great to be able to go to so many reunions. Hate they are always on one of the coasts, and not in the center. To all, have a good one. Semper Fi, and READY-APP.

Coast?

John,

Laughlin is not quite "on the coast" :D:D:D It is on the
Nevada/Arizona border.

About due south of Las Vegas.

Heavy Haulers

Mike, to me here in Southeast Ok. its like almost 2000 miles, or close to it. By then gas will be back to 3 plus bucks a gal. We either have to go the northern way to Colorado, and down, or the southern way, I-40. The airlines are such a Health risk I'd hate to have to resort to them. My wife has to take at least a week and a half off just to make it to one, and be back for work. She will retire for the second time in 4 more years. I'll be glad for sure. I hope a lot will be able to make it. It will be a great time for all. Semper Fi, and READY-APP.

Making the Grade

John Ace Hunt;28776 wrote: Its Great to be able to go to so many reunions. Hate they are always on one of the coasts, and not in the center. To all, have a good one. Semper Fi, and READY-APP.

ACE I know what you mean ,but maybe you need to catch the WIND and get out of Okla every once in awhile . What ya Think? I guess it has gotten me out away from Mich so I will say I have been a few places just because I did get to those Reunion's for 10 years now . So I better think twice! :rolleyes:

...... locations

John,

I "Google Earthed" our locations ......

You are just North East of me above Paris, TX.

Myself being just South of Denton, you are not even as far away as Texarkana.

making the Grade

JJ, It sure would be nice to. I have 2 problems that keep me from going to far. I went to Paris today, and exchanged a few words with the va small clinic there. I have 2 dogs that have tied me down. I used to get alledged friends to feed them, and watch the place, but every one of them would tear the place up while I was gone. I doubt the dogs were treated much better. They are old, and one has cancer. We have no boarding for them here. I failed to think ahead, of being tied down with them. I had a 22 bullet hole in my back yard dogs water bucket, and I'm laying for the low life that did it. I'll find out one day. The others would give my radios and antennas away. I owned an Electronic and Radio shop for 19 plus years, and had several good ones repaired to sell, but they as well as 5-6 new radios were gone too. I plan to re-build this place, and rent it out with the other two, then get my self to Arkansas with my Wife. She had to go to her home town there. I decided to stay here. Just maybe one more year. The one thats in bad shape may have gone to his Heaven by then, and I can fence off a good amount of room for my other one in my Wifes Big new home there. She has another one rented out there too. Those payments we made were rough, but we were able to make the payments. Should have said responsible enough to. I have had to miss the last reunion of my Squadron, and Popasmoke. Sure hated that. I believe they would burn the home down this time. Its just a deal where you have, and I don't. I tell them, get the heck out there and work for them. I did, and I'm not susposed to cut the yard. Just glad I was able to make it from Pensacola, Reno, Vegas, San Diego, just about all of them for some time. May have to miss one or two more until I get to a place that has a Kennel. Surley they have one in Arkansas, north of Jonesboro. I'll get JJ. have good ones, and Semper Fi, and READY-APP.

Locations

Mike, that is Great. Denton is about 150 or so south east. That whole area is really nice. It has bout everything you want to do, maybe just a few miles away though. I worked in the South Building at TI in Dallas doing Industrial Electrical work for Daniels Const., we did their contract work for some time. I'd come home on the weekends. Then go back. I'm looking for a 2005 Cavalier. Believe thats the last year they made them. I had a '90 Cavalier and peaked it out to 31-32 miles per gallon, loaded down, going 75. I can only get 19.7 out of my '90 ford truck, 4X4. Hope to get one soon, and when I give in, and go to the Dallas va and drive, I'll call, and try to meet up there. In this very small town there is nothing but gas stations. No, but it seems so. There is a sonic, and taco bell. That whole area is really nice. I'll find it on google later. My phone is 580-298-3747. I stay close there. I just can not put my in the home Dog down. He has been so devoted, I wouldn't want to be put down, so I'll let him go to sleep one night, and he won't wake up either, just anytime I believe. Had 2 in the back yard until about the last of April, but she went home way to early too. I'll think again before getting tied down. Its great if you have people you can trust, but not around here. Cornith should be a nice sized City. Best get. Have good ones too. Semper Fi, and READY-APP.

Re: 2011 Heavy Haulers Gathering

http://www.hmh-463-vietnam.com/reunion/2011ReunionPhotos/2011reu2.html

All,

Please check out the above link.

Planning is going well for the October gathering in Laughlin. Registrations are rolling in.

We have also added a link to an M1 Garand Raffle we are having to raise funds for the
Wounded Warriors.

http://www.hmh-463-vietnam.com/reunion/2011ReunionPhotos/2011reu3.html

Please check it out. Also the registration details for the gathering.

http://www.hmh-463-vietnam.com/reunion/2011ReunionPhotos/2011reu2.html

Re: 2011 Heavy Haulers Gathering --- final update

http://www.hmh-463-vietnam.com/reunion/2011ReunionPhotos/2011reu2.html

Folks, check out the above link.

This is a "last chance" update on the October gathering in Laughlin, NV.

Look at the left hand column for info on two raffles and some Oatman pics.

The good deal on room rates at the C-o-l-o-rado Belle comes to a close at the
middle of September. So if you are still procrastinating, let me push you
over the edge.

We've got a good group gathered up, but more are always welcome!

See you there!

S/F!

Mike

Re: 2011 Heavy Haulers Gathering

Moved back to active viewing.

Please see the previous post in this thread.

S/F!

Mike

Re: 2011 Heavy Haulers Gathering

HI Mike ...

Can't find the 'particulars' on the 2011 RE-UNION ... MY WIFE AND I MAY ATTEND!

I was in HMH-463 (off and on) 1975-1979 and aboard USS Hancock ref. 'Frequent Wind and Eagle Pull' ... also S-3 Training Officer and S-2 Intell Officer during that time!

Any info and particulars please e-mail (ladlas@sbcglobal.net) or msg. via POP-A-SMOKE!

Thanks and Big 'SEMPER FI'!!!

Steve Maxwell (now Retired Airline Capt,)

Re: 2011 Heavy Haulers Gathering

Three posts above this one you will find the link to the HMH-463 web site and
all the available details.

Hope you can make it.

S/F!

Mike

Re: 2011 Heavy Haulers Gathering

Had a GREAT gathering in Laughlin!

Had about 50 old Heavy Haulers from all eras in attendance plus spouses and guests.

Had three of the original crew that hadn't been seen in 43 years!

Also some other new faces that found old crew mates.

I've got a ton of pics rolling in and will get busy collating them and posting them soon.

It was a worthwhile effort put out by Hoot Gibson to plan and host this our third
biennial Heavy Haulers Gathering.

In the pic are Hoot Gibson and Ed Steuber outside the C Deck hospitality suite at the C-o-l-o-rado Belle.

AAR being generated, but in a nutshell, we more than doubled the 2009 Gathering receipts
with $4415.73 raised for the Wounded Warriors. OOH-RAH!!!

The funds will be split evenly between Wounded Warriors East & West and the Burn Center in San Antonio.

Re: 2011 Heavy Haulers Gathering

All Marines

After Reunion Report

To all hands, the reunion wound down the morning of 21 Oct. 2011 with everyone departing Laughlin and headed back to colder climates. This year was similar to the 2009 reunion, with nice warm temperatures all week. The following Tuesday it turned cold and windy on the river, so the timing was perfect.

This year was slightly larger than in years past, we seem to be growing at a slow and steady pace. Most of the old hands keep returning and new ones are coming. This time Fred Widder who was with Det. A was there with his daughter and her husband along with a couple of grandchildren. One of the lads had to get back to Wyoming by Sunday; he was headed to MCRD San Diego. He had a positive attitude and was looking forward to Boot Camp.

Three other new faces included Mike LaRusso, Joe Rossi & Pat Murgallis. Some of us had not seen these three in 43 years!

Mike Amtower will be posting photographs on the 463 web page if he has not already got them posted.

s were posted before dinner on Wed. and retired after dinner on Thurs. The Guard was from Miramar and again we had picture perfect Marines. The ado Belle again shut down the casino music and played Semper Fi and the Washington Post March as the Guard marched the s thru the casino. There was a lot of applause and go Marines etc. Kind of lifts you spirits to see the support given by everyone on the casino floor.

To those who attended and were impressed by the Guard, I would like you to communicate you thanks to MGySgt. Goniotakis at the following e-mail address brian.goniotakis@usmc.mil. The MGySgt. was unable to secure a government vehicle and paid for the gas to have the Guard to come by POV. Letting him know how impressive these young Marines were is the least we can do.

You should start making plans for another reunion around the third week of October 2013. As you know these are off year reunions from Pop-A-Smoke so we do not draw from their attendance.

Now for the good news!

Thanks to the generosity of everyone in supporting the reunion even if unable to attend we met our expenses for the Guard, hospitality room and came out a little ahead. That little ahead came out to the tune of $4415.73 (Yes that’s right Four Thousand Four Hundred Fifteen Dollars and Seventy Three cents.) that will be going to Wounded Warriors. One third will be going to Semper Fi West, one third to Semper Fi East and the last third to the Burn Clinic in San Antonio.

The majority of these funds were the result of the M-1 Garand raffle and Charlie Chase is to be thanked for donating the M-1. By the way the winner was Bernie Wood, who is giving the rifle to Larry South an old HMH-463 member. The two CH-53 models we raffled also brought in a fair share as well. Remember that this amount could not have been achieved with out the donation for the Guard expenses. Those of you who donated to the expenses make this high figure possible. There is one problem I see for the next reunion, which is how are we going to have another raffle that will bring in the funds this one has. If any one knows where this a WWII jeep that is not heavily guarded and someone who is good at altering serial numbers, then the problem may be solved.

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You.

Last but not least thank you for coming. Without those who attended there would not be a reunion. We had a few that had to drop out because of illness and that makes it just that much more necessary to have these. Seeing old friends and meeting new ones.

Thanks Again and Semper Fi

Hoot

Re: 2011 Heavy Haulers Gathering

I've got nearly a thousand pics that I am searching thru to post on the HMH-463
web site, but here is the group on the stairs at the C-o-l-o-r-ado Belle after our
Thursday night banquet.

Bare with me as I work on the names. There will be seven rows, starting from
the left and reading bottom to top.

The four Marines: Cpl Kim Solarik, Sgt Brian Washington , Cpl Noah Brown & Cpl
Jake Thibodeau

Row 1: Glenn Turley, Frank Barbosa, Dale Clark, Larry South, Jean Gonneville & Jim Parrot.
Row 2: Behind Cpl Solarik, Mike LaRusso, Charley Chase adjusting his hat, Dave Danford, Rick Brohmer, Bill Timmreck & Frank Trejo.
Row 3: Behind Sgt Williams, Errol Ortego, Ed Steuber, Lennis Larson, Glenn Richards and above rt Almus Dean.
Row 4: Behind Cpl Chavez, Mike Amtower, Bob Martinson & E.K. Cannon.
Row 5: To rt of Cpl Thibodeau, Jim Batt, Joe Rossi, Bill Cowperthwait, Carl Damon, Skip Burns, unk in black hat, Gary Bisplinghoff, & Bill Keller.
Row 6: unk Belle employee, Dale Gibson, Doug Hagen, Steve Pollard, Brook Stevenson.
Row 7: Fred Widder, Paul Bulman, Damian Knight & Steve Maxwell.

All of you out there, please help me with the unknowns.

Re: 2011 Heavy Haulers Gathering

All Marines & attendees!

I've got 12 pic pages up and online at the site.

http://www.hmh-463-vietnam.com/reunion/2011ReunionPhotos/2011reu1.html

They each contain 9 thumbnail links to another page, for a total of 108 picture
pages.

I hope you all enjoy them. I CERTAINLY enjoyed seeing all of you again.

Including all the new faces. Some of whom many of us had not seen in over
43 years!

We had about a dozen first timers too Laughlin this year.

That is why we have these gatherings!

Ooh-Rah! & Semper Fi!